Hey Doug,
My physics teaching partner is a lot like MC. He's an engineer, but with a
strong military (Navy) background. He loves to "test me" only he seems a bit
less condescending than MC. I'm sure MC is a likeable guy if you can get
past his need to out-math everyone around him. And of course, if you were
female he'd be a lot nicer (song to the tune of Desperado).
With my partner and I, it's a classic case of engineer versus technician.
I'm not always right, but neither is he. We don't hold back debating in
front of the kids either, as we feel they should see what that people often
disagree in the workplace. Every so often we'll take a low shot at each
other. I might say something like, "yes, but when I design something, it has
to actually work." I won't tell you what he says, lol.
My advice is to not take things/people too seriously in this, or any, NG.

Scout
"Everyone wants to design and build, no one wants to do maintenance." K.
Vonnegut


"DSK" wrote
I gather that you have never heard of a "Free Body Diagram"? Freshman
engineering stuff. That is the way to solve such problems. If you
don't believe me, ask Scout.

But I'm not asking Scout. I'm asking _you_ to solve this freshman
problem -if you can.